LexisNexis eCrash Taking Part in NYC BigApps Challenge

Date: 2014-07-17

LexisNexis® Risk Solutions has announced that it is submitting its LexisNexis eCrash automated accident reporting and traffic analytics solution in the NYC BigApps 2014 development competition. LexisNexis eCrash provides the kind of marked improvements and overall value contribution to New York City residents that BigApps looks for when evaluating a participant’s project.

A major focus for this year’s contest is New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s recent Vision Zero campaign, which aims to reduce the number of vehicle-related injuries and fatalities. 4,000 New Yorkers are seriously injured and more than 250 are killed each year in traffic crashes, according to the Vision Zero website. LexisNexis eCrash directly addresses the Mayor’s Vision Zero platform and benefits law enforcement personnel and the residents of New York City by applying crash data analytics to the city’s streets.

LexisNexis eCrash allows officers to quickly clear accidents and accident-related impediments, enabling improved traffic flow while creating safer streets for officers and citizens. Additionally, LexisNexis eCrash incorporates data, analysis and distribution capabilities that support effective strategies to reduce traffic related accidents, injuries and fatalities. By enabling law enforcement to use crash data analytics to identify accident prone locations, they are able to more strategically monitor and enforce in those areas.

“LexisNexis eCrash replaces the antiquated process of developing and submitting paper-based crash reports by automating the functionality, allowing officers to file reports in a matter of minutes and then dedicate their focus to other pressing public safety concerns,” said Richard Pepe, Law Enforcement Specialist, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and retired Traffic Safety Officer for the New York City Police Department. “Citizens also receive direct benefits from LexisNexis eCrash through easy access to accident reports and a potential reduction in traffic-related incidents. The solution saves law enforcement and citizen’s time and money, and has the potential to save lives. We are excited to be showcasing our solution in the NYC BigApps competition,” Pepe added.

To enhance the platform for NYC BigApps, LexisNexis is currently working to develop a prototype mobile phone application that embeds a mapping functionality, allowing citizens the opportunity to not only see critical accident prone location areas of the city, but also have the ability to overlay crime and other data to get the true picture of risk that may exist in a specific area. Once completed, the mobile app will offer citizens a special alert, such as a distinctive vibration or ring tone when approaching intersections that are considered dangerous. Users will also be able to build zones – such as where they live – and receive email alerts daily, weekly or monthly, serving as a proactive approach to pedestrian safety.

The annual NYC BigApps challenge, founded in 2009 by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, is a four-month contest that provides leading application and software developers with access to municipal data sets in an effort to increase government transparency and crowdsource solutions to some of the biggest problems currently facing the city.